Podcasts and Unda Maris

Yesterday Ausra and I recorded 3 podcast episodes in the morning. The first was No. 559 which was about the question asked by Arthur. He wanted to know if my organ compositions are available for downloading to Total Organist members without paying for them extra. In particular he was interested in my Meditation in D, Op. 35. Ausra thought it's a good idea to let more people play my music and I think so too. But before I make a decision, I also want to ask the community if this feature would be useful to have in the program.

Another question for podcast No. 560 was sent by Maureen who wanted to know how to play confidently and with the feeling for the music. She has dreamed of playing the Widor Toccata. The last question which we answered today for Podcast No. 561 was sent by Andrei. He was grateful that his organ playing is improving drastically. The reason for this might be that he is studying from my Organ Sight-Reading Master Course. In this conversation Ausra and I argued about what's more important for an organist to develop - strong sight-reading or strong improvisation skills? Why not try both?

In the afternoon I went to our Unda Maris organ studio rehearsal. 8 people were playing today. The first that started was Justas with his rendition of the C Major Little Prelude and Fugue. He played it last year but hasn't finished it. Maybe this May will be his time...

Then Rokas played G minor Prelude and Fugue from the same collection. I advised him not to look at the fingers while playing. Totile was next. She played Praeludium in D major by Buxtehude. I think she will soon be able to play it faster. She also played through my Meditation in D, Op. 35 for the first time. She hasn't played many legato style pieces so articulation will require extra focus.

Vytautas played a Trio in Eb minor by Bach. He loves pieces with lots of accidentals. Next step will be with 7 sharps or flats for him. Diana played "Bellows" from my cycle "Organ ABC" which I'm currently composing. It's coming along well but for this week's contest it may not be ready yet.

Our new student Lukas played the first short trio by Lemmens. I instructed him to practice in 7 different combinations. Audre played a Lithuanian church hymn - this time for two parts. Up until now she has been playing in parallel octaves but I think she is ready to add one independent voice as well. Also with pedals. The last was Marek who improvised for a while on soft stops. He needs to start learning to read musical notation.